Dr. Sarah Washington O’Neal Rush ǀ The Great-granddaughter of famous educator, Booker T. Washington Ed.D., M.A., Master Certified Personal and Professional Coach

As the founder of Extraordinary Legacy and Booker T. Washington Excellence Network, (B.T.W.E.N.), Dr. Sarah Washington O’Neal Rush takes her esteemed great-grandfather’s legacy forward. Based on his teachings, she is on a mission to encourage the ideals of character building, education, excellence, and leadership. She also draws on her personal experience of having served as a clinical counselor and an adjunct professor. Her experience in the fields of education, leadership, and psychology grant her immense first-hand knowledge.

In addition, she delivers lectures and keynotes around the country. She is the author of Rising Up from the Blood: A Legacy Reclaimed, A Bridge Forward and the coauthor of Timeless Treasures: Reflections of God’s Word in the Wisdom of Booker T. Washington. Both are available on Amazon.com. She also has a published dissertation, Exploring the Role of Self-fulfilling Prophesy on the Career Trajectories of Successful African American Adults. This research explores the lived experiences of successful individuals who grew up in lower socio-economic environments. You can see the dissertation by clicking here.

Keynote Topics

CHARACTER LEADERSHIP: SIXTEEN SUCCESS PRINCIPLES THAT LEAD TO EXCELLENCE

 Key Takeaways:

The audience members will:

  • Learn why character transcends skills and abilities with regard to leadership
  • Be able to identify how the principles influence real life situations
  • Gain an in-depth understanding of the four quadrants that comprise Character Leadership
    • Being
    • Growing
    • Leading
    • Soaring

RISING ABOVE ADVERSITY: GOING FROM WHERE YOU ARE TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

Key Takeaways:

The audience members will:

  • Become inspired to elevate themselves and others beyond what they think is possible
  • Be compelled to always bring their best selves to the table
  • Glean insight into the role self-fulfilling prophecy plays on successful outcomes
  • Gain applicable skills on how to advance effectively through change and adversity
  • Learn the importance of developing a personal/professional mission statement

MINDSET GROWTH, ATTITUDE SHIFTS, AND SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY

Key Takeaways:
  • Gain clarity and resolution on
    • Passion-driven-purpose
    • Setting and meeting purposeful and meaningful goals
    • Mindset shifts and attitude adjustments that lead to positive outcomes
  • Create a powerful and meaningful personal and/or professional mission statement
  • Obtain a pre and post personal and/or professional analysis and assessment tool

THE LIFE AND WORK OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

Key Takeaways:
  • Gain new and informative insights into
    • The famous teachings of Booker T. Washington: Education of the Head, Hand, and Heart
    • The Historical work of Booker T. Washington: Learning to build bricks without straw
    • The relationship between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois
  • Inspiration to follow through on their unique purpose
  • Motivation to create their own extraordinary legacy
  • Interactive question and answer period

Porfolio of Previous Speaking Engagements

Tuskegee University 102nd Annual Founders Day Keynote

Argosy University Lecture on Character Leadership

Verizon Partner Chat

As a sought-out speaker, Dr. Sarah Washington O’Neal Rush―great-granddaughter of former slave, turned famous educator, and founder of Tuskegee University, Booker T. Washington―has delivered inspiration speeches and lectures to diverse audiences all across the country.
As a living legend, she is well-poised to tell her inspirational modern-day story of overcoming difficulties, paralleled with her great-grandfather’s remarkable historical story of rising above slavery.
EXPERT ON:

  • Character Building

  • Character Leadership

  • Critical Thinking/Organized Debating

  • Mindset, Attitude, and Self-fulfilling Prophecy

  • Mental Health (Solution Focused/Strength Based Approaches)

  • History: The Life and Work of Booker T. Washington

  • Education: The Head, Hand, and Heart Principles of Booker T. Washington

 EXPERIENCE PRESENTING IN THE FIELDS OF:

  • Education (Colleges, Universities, Vocational/Technical, K-12 Schools)

  • Business (Corporation, Small Business, Nonprofit)

  • Faith-Based Institutions (Churches)

RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • Rising and aspiring leaders, including:
    • Project leaders, front-line supervisors, managers-in-training, student leaders, and individual influencers, i.e., educators, coaches, athletes, parents, entrepreneurs, content creators
 EDUCATION/CREDENTIALS:
  • Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership
  • Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
  • Master Certified Personal/Professional Coach